2014 RMZ 250: Reliability?

Skymx99
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Skymx99
Edited Date/Time 2/18/2014 3:56am
I am in the market for a new 250f and I am leaning towards an RMZ. I have owned a few honda four strokes but never a suzuki. I currently am riding an RM 125 and really want to stick with the suzuki brand, but I am curious if they are reliable? My Honda's were great bikes and lasted a long time. Is there anything I should know about with the RMZ? Also, are there any rumblings of big changes for 2015? Should I wait and see?
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MarkF
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MarkF 2/17/2014 1:48pm
2/17/2014 1:48pm
neverwasfastenuf wrote:
Are the forks an issue on the 250 too? Have they ever found out what the culprit is?
I own, have/ owned both 250 and 450, 2013 and 2014. No problems...great bike. I have no personal knowledge of "big changes" for 2015, but have heard the rumors of an all new bike. I would wait.
usp4u
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usp4u 2/17/2014 1:50pm
2/17/2014 1:50pm
solid bikes
motox55
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motox55 2/17/2014 1:55pm
2/17/2014 1:55pm Edited Date/Time 2/17/2014 1:56pm
I doubt there will be any changes to the 250 they just did it in 2013. The 450 is over due hasn't changed much since 2008.

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BroFoSho
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BroFoSho 2/17/2014 2:03pm
2/17/2014 2:03pm
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible.

Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts & bolts, plastic, etc.
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brocsdad
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brocsdad 2/17/2014 2:32pm
2/17/2014 2:32pm
New RMZ's for 2015 is what have been reading.
AS64
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AS64 2/17/2014 2:38pm
2/17/2014 2:38pm
Had a 2012.. No problems. Great bike stock other than the suspension.
million
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million 2/17/2014 3:01pm
2/17/2014 3:01pm
RMZ250's are much the same from 2010. I have a 12 and really like it. Having ridden red before (08 crf250) i can say this bike wants for nothing really. I just made it reasonably crash proof by adding rad braces, levers then added a stiffer 450 detent spring to the transmission & a longer shift lever. Oh and stiffer clutch springs (lots of sand riding around here).

Engine is good in the sense that its broad, light/fast revving and workman like with good top end/over rev.

Chassis is very good at cornering. Although I'm currently having my suspension re-valved to work out the minor head shake i was experiencing at speed & the deflection off sharp hits

Suspension is surprisingly good for my intermediate 70kg 5'10" frame.

Fit and finish is really good. From my experience i can't say enough good things about it. No idea where this bad quality rap came from?
wydopen
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wydopen 2/17/2014 3:21pm
2/17/2014 3:21pm
BroFoSho wrote:
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible. Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts...
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible.

Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts & bolts, plastic, etc.
its not 1990 anymore..
malachi177
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malachi177 2/17/2014 3:32pm
2/17/2014 3:32pm
BroFoSho wrote:
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible. Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts...
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible.

Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts & bolts, plastic, etc.
Pure myth.....so you sir are wrong!!!!
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malachi177
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malachi177 2/17/2014 3:33pm
2/17/2014 3:33pm
BroFoSho wrote:
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible. Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts...
Going from a Honda to Suzuki the fit and finish will be terrible.

Nothing against the yellow bike, but they just are built as well. Nuts & bolts, plastic, etc.
wydopen wrote:
its not 1990 anymore..
Hey my 1990 RM125 is a great solid bike!!!!....you're talking mid 80's Tongue
sharkey
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sharkey 2/17/2014 3:35pm
2/17/2014 3:35pm
don't buy a 2102 or older rmz 250. the transmissions don't hold up. hopefully the 13s are better
MarkF
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MarkF 2/17/2014 3:42pm
2/17/2014 3:42pm
sharkey wrote:
don't buy a 2102 or older rmz 250. the transmissions don't hold up. hopefully the 13s are better
I have also owned the 2012 250 and 450. The 2013 250 has a an upgraded transmission. So no worries there anymore. The bummer is it has a new counter shaft that uses a totally different sprocket than past Suzuki's and the current 450. They always seem to be on back order. Fit and finish is top notch nowadays.
malachi177
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malachi177 2/17/2014 3:44pm
2/17/2014 3:44pm
On the '12 model didn't they get rid of the cir-clip on the countershaft and go to a bolt?
MarkF
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MarkF 2/17/2014 6:32pm
2/17/2014 6:32pm
malachi177 wrote:
On the '12 model didn't they get rid of the cir-clip on the countershaft and go to a bolt?
Yes. It has a bolt and pressure washer. It is also a larger diameter and different spline pattern.
bd
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bd 2/17/2014 6:40pm
2/17/2014 6:40pm
Zook has a hell of a deal. Get Yosh package and 0% for 60 months for a 2013 (the same bike as the 2014).

http://www.suzukicycles.com/offer.aspx
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/2014-SUZUKI-RMZ250-RMZ450-MODES…
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/MXAS-2013-SUZUKI-RMZ250-MOTOCRO…
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Suzuki/News/MXA-TEAM-TESTED-YOSHIMURA-RS4…
Skymx99
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Skymx99 2/17/2014 8:44pm
2/17/2014 8:44pm
Thanks for the help guys! I was looking at the financing deal on the 2013. Same bike and I can probably snag one pretty cheap right now. My last 250f was an 04 crf. Since then I have been riding an RM125 and haven't really kept up with the newer 4 strokes as far as maintenance goes. Is adjusting valves still a big concern on the 250s? I know it has to be done, but do they last longer now in between adjustments?
Indy mxer
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Indy mxer 2/18/2014 3:56am
2/18/2014 3:56am
My brother is a Kaw/Suz/Polaris dealer here. He sells RMZ's 6 to 1 over KXF's.
I think partly because he's been a Suz dealer for 40 years.
But also due to the great financing/bling package they offer.
He sells quite a few 250's and from what I see they hold up well. I ride Kaw but my grown son rides a 13 Suz 250.
He rides it pretty much a the rev limiter.
So far he's had no issues with the bike and although he checks the valves, they've stayed in spec with only one small adjustment.
They have a killer deal on 13's right now. Buy one, they're great bikes, and go enjoy your new scooter!
Btw, nothing turns like a zook.

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CatEyes MX
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CatEyes MX 11/11/2020 7:49am
11/11/2020 7:49am
I might be a bit late to this thread, but the 2014 Rmz250 is a solid bike. I have a bunch of upgrades on mine and it rides really really well.
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Forty
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Forty 11/11/2020 9:05am
11/11/2020 9:05am
CatEyes MX wrote:
I might be a bit late to this thread, but the 2014 Rmz250 is a solid bike. I have a bunch of upgrades on mine and...
I might be a bit late to this thread, but the 2014 Rmz250 is a solid bike. I have a bunch of upgrades on mine and it rides really really well.
Dude. 6 years! Lol.
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Philip Johansson 1/10/2022 2:05pm
1/10/2022 2:05pm
CatEyes MX wrote:
I might be a bit late to this thread, but the 2014 Rmz250 is a solid bike. I have a bunch of upgrades on mine and...
I might be a bit late to this thread, but the 2014 Rmz250 is a solid bike. I have a bunch of upgrades on mine and it rides really really well.
And here I am in 2022 looking for some reviews of the RMZ. Win !

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